Latest news with #householders
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Allerdale bigger bins delayed ahead of collection cuts
Some residents may not get replacement bins before waste collections change from weekly to fortnightly. Cumberland Council said it received more than 10,500 requests for replacement bins ahead of it halving the frequency of general waste collections in the former Allerdale area from who have not yet received their 180 litre replacement bins have been told to continue using their existing bin, with an extra two bags waste also Labour-led authority said householders could also be eligible for an even larger bin if they have a big household, young children in nappies or for medical needs. Carlisle residents and those in the former Copeland area already have their black bins collected on a fortnightly and paper collections will increase from monthly to fortnightly from late council said: "Due to the large number of requests, we are advising residents that don't get their new bin before next week to carry on using their existing bin and are encouraging them to recycle as much as they can. "If they can't fit all their waste into their bin, residents can put out up to two bags of excess waste." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BreakingNews.ie
14-05-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Over half of septic tanks failed inspections in 2024
Over half of septic tank inspections failed in 2024, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Local authorities completed 1,390 septic tank inspections in 2024, targeted near rivers and household drinking water wells which are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks. Advertisement Over half (56 per cent) of septic tanks failed inspection. "It is critically important that householders maintain their septic tanks as such failures have the potential to be a risk to their family's health and the environment," the EPA said. Domestic waste water treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. When septic tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. The EPA report found that 82 per cent of septic tanks that failed during 2013–2024 were fixed, up from 75 per cent at the end of 2021. Advertisement The number of advisory notices open more than two years decreased for the first time, from 576 at the end of 2023 to 523 at the end of 2024. Dr Micheál Lehane, director of the EPA's Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said: 'The reduction in the number of old advisory notices (over two years) is to be welcomed, however, the number not resolved remains unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue. Greater and sustained enforcement effort is needed by local authorities during their annual septic tank inspections, checking that faulty septic tanks are fixed and taking legal action where necessary.' The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were changed at the start of 2024 to increase the amount from €5,000 to €12,000 and remove the requirement to have registered the septic tank in 2013. There were 265 grants awarded in 2024, totalling nearly €2.5 million, up from 194 grants in 2023.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
More than 50% of septic tanks fail inspection tests in 2024
Over half of septic tanks inspected last year failed the test, putting householders' health and the environment at risk, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns in its latest report on domestic wastewater treatment systems . Local authorities completed 1,390 inspections in 2024, targeting those near rivers and household drinking water wells at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks. There are almost 500,000 septic tanks countrywide used to treat sewage, most of which are in rural areas and attached to individual houses. Of septic tanks inspected, 56 per cent (773) failed 'because they were not built or maintained properly'. When tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to remedy the problem. READ MORE The biggest failure rates were in Laois (97 per cent), Westmeath (92 per cent), Roscommon (85 per cent), Kildare (83 per cent), Leitrim (75 per cent), Offaly (70 per cent) and Wexford (70 per cent). There was a 100 per cent failure rate in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and a 75 per cent rate in South Dublin, but only seven and four septic tanks were inspected, respectively. The EPA report found 82 per cent of septic tanks that failed during 2013-2024 were fixed, up from 75 per cent at the end of 2021. This has been aided by increased uptake in grants. The number of advisory notices open more than two years fell for the first time; from 576 at the end of 2023 to 523 at the end of 2024. Director of the EPA's Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring Micheál Lehane said: 'The reduction of old advisory notices [over two years] is to be welcomed. However, the number not resolved remains unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue.' Grant schemes for the remediation of septic tanks were increased from €5,000 to €12,000 last year and the requirement to have registered the septic tank in 2013 was removed. There were 265 grants awarded in 2024, totalling nearly €2.5 million – up from 194 grants in 2023. [ Almost half of septic tanks inspected by local authorities last year failed Opens in new window ] EPA programme manager Noel Byrne said the high failure rate 'is a real concern'. 'By maintaining their septic tank and fixing any problems identified, householders will protect their health and the environment. Householders should take advantage of the enhanced grants where applicable,' he said. Leaking septic tanks can contaminate household drinking wells with harmful bacteria and viruses, while people may be exposed to wastewater if it surfaces in gardens or runs off into ditches and streams. The EPA's national inspection plan requires local authorities to complete a minimum of 1,200 inspections annually, targeted near where there are important water sources. Last year, there was a shortfall in inspections by four local authorities: Limerick, Donegal, Wexford and Leitrim and these need to be completed in 2025, said the EPA.
